18 Birmingham Events & Happenings: May 2016

Showers have finally led to flowers, and school is almost out for summer! There are plenty of May events to enjoy in the Magic City while it is abuzz with springtime delight. With festivals, concerts, fun runs and sporting events, you’ll have a hard time finding an excuse to stay at home this month. Here’s our lineup for some awesome events happening this May!

April 28 – May 8, 2016: Oak Mountain Spring State Fair

Nothing says “Southern fun” like a day spent at a state fair riding the ferris wheel with a cotton candy cone in one hand and an oversized stuffed animal prize in the other. This eleven day, family-friendly event features attractions of all kinds, including a petting zoo, thrill rides, food stands and games with classic fair prizes. Ticket prices vary depending on the day attended, and discounts and deals can be found on the fair’s website. oakmountainstatefair.com

May 5, 2016: The Avett Brothers with Brandi Carlile at Tuscaloosa Amphitheater

Embrace your inner hipster and don your best thrift store duds when you head out to hear the southern fusion sounds of the Avett Brothers with special guest Brandi Carlile. Spend a beautiful, star-filled night at the Tuscaloosa amphitheater set to the soundtrack of the True Sadness tour to kick off the month. Tickets range from $35 to $45. tuscaloosaamphitheater.com

May 6 – 22, 2016: Sister Act presented by Red Mountain Theatre Co.

Come enjoy Red Mountain Theatre Company’s hilarious rendition of the tale of an aspiring disco singer turned witness-protection-placed nun. Adapted from the popular film featuring Whoopi Goldberg, this play will keep you chuckling through the night. This uplifting story of an unexpected sisterhood would be perfect for a girls’ night out. Tickets are $30 for ages 13 & up, and $20 for ages 2-12. redmountaintheatre.org

May 7, 2016: Girls on the Run Community 5k

Lace up your favorite sneakers and head out to support Girls on the Run, a nonprofit program that seeks to empower elementary and adolescent girls in the community through a 10-week program promoting positive emotional, social, mental, and physical development. In their season-ending 5k this month, these girls get to strut their stuff with their running partners in Marconi Park. The open-registration race begins at 9 a.m., and race day sign-up costs $35 for adults and $15 for youth (12 & under). girlsontherunbham.org

May 7, 2016: Trussville City Fest

There’s no better way to spend a springtime Saturday than perusing the rows of tents at a local festival. Bring the whole family to downtown Trussville for the city’s 36th annual City Fest. There will be plenty of opportunities to keep everyone entertained with food, live music, local vendors and free activities. Finishing with a bang, the festival will conclude with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Admission is $5 per person, and children under 2 get in free! trussvillecityfest.com

May 13, 2016: ARC Stories and The Library at Birmingham Botanical Gardens present Roots: Stories about the Nature of the South

As Birminghamians, we all love to embrace our sweet-tea-drinking, “y’all”-saying, blue-jeans-wearing and football-loving heritage. What better way to do this than to hear firsthand accounts of what it means to truly be southern from those who have experienced the good, the bad and the ugly of Southern living. ARC Stories seeks to bring the tale telling that usually resides on the front porches of our homes to a grander scale, and keep the best stories alive for the next generation. General Admission tickets are $10. www.bbgardens.org/arc-storytelling

May 13 – 15, 2016: CukoRakko Music & Arts Festival

Head up Highway 59 to the foothills of the Appalachians in Steele, AL to experience this three-day celebration of live music and mixed media arts. Featuring activities such as hiking, camping, crafting, yoga, disc-golf and more, CukoRakko seeks to entertain the nature lover in all of us. The festival is hosted at the beautiful Horse Pens 40 natural amphitheater, showcasing age-old exposed rock formations. $85 will get you a three-day all access pass; one-day and VIP ticket options are also available. cukorakko.com

May 14, 2016: Make-A-Wish Mayfest at Avondale

Live music, food trucks and Avondale’s famous brews will be present at this year’s Mayfest. Bring a group of friends and your pooch and chill out at Avondale Brewery for a great cause. All proceeds from the festival will go to support the Alabama chapter of the Make-A-Wish foundation, a nonprofit that has fulfilled the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses since the ‘80s. Admission is $20 and includes two drink tickets. alabama.wish.org

May 14, 2016: German Beer Fest

A few things come to mind when thinking of German traditions: lederhosen, pretzels, German chocolate, Volkswagen and … BEER! The first ever German Beer Fest cultural celebration will include German music, food and 40 different kinds of German beer to try at Das Haus: German Club. Keep your mug full with the FDSK German Culture Club and be sure to thank your bartender with a hearty Danke!” facebook.com/dashausbham

May 14, 2016 Do Dah Day at Caldwell Park

Animal lovers unite at this annual festival showcasing pampered pets in the Birmingham area. Hosted in the historic Highland Park neighborhood, this day devoted to our favorite furry friends will feature live music, kids’ activities, vendors and a pooch parade to benefit local animal-focused charities. Grab the leash and bring your best friend out for a day at the gorgeous Caldwell and Rhodes parks. dodahday.org

May 14, 2016: Mudbugs and Music at Good People Brewery

Be sure to brush up on your peeling skills before you head out to indulge in some crawfish at Good People Brewery for the 12th annual Mudbugs and Music event. Put on by the Arthritis Foundation’s Birmingham Junior Board, this day of fun will include music by Cooper Trent and the Stephen McCullough Band, local food trucks, and activities to keep all ages entertained. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation. Tickets are $30 the day of the event and include both crawfish and sides. Children under 12 will have free entry and complimentary Domino’s pizza. mudbugsandmusic.com

May 15, 2016: 38th Annual Opera Birmingham at Vestavia Hills Country Club

Spruce yourself up in optional black tie apparel at the Vestavia Hills Country Club to hear the Opera Birmingham Finals Concert, followed by the elegant seated awards dinner. This competition of 20 aspiring singers from across the nation culminates with the final decision of who gets the chance to sing in Opera Birmingham’s “Catch a Rising Star” concert. Admission is $175 per person, and a table of eight may be reserved for $1,500. www.operabirmingham.org

May 18 – 22, 2016: Regions Tradition Golf Tournament

Some of golf’s greatest players will be teeing off at the Regions Tradition Tournament held at Greystone Golf & Country Club. This PGA Champions Tour will feature golf pros over the age of 50. The Pro-Am round on Wednesday will also host big names from the SEC like Paul Finebaum, Nick Saban, Gus Malzahn, Bo Jackson and more! Tie a cardigan around your shoulders and come out to see why Birmingham is known as one of the best cities for golf in the US. One-day tickets cost $20 and children under 18 are admitted for free with a ticket holding adult. regionstradition.com

May 20 – 22, 2016: Hangout Music Fest

Arguably one of the best summer music festival lineups of 2016, Hangout Music Fest is back in Gulf Shores for another weekend of amazing music. Don’t forget your shades for this weekend on the beach, featuring a packed list of top-notch acts including Florence and the Machine, The Weeknd, Lenny Kravitz and Ellie Goulding, just to name a few. Children 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult of 21 years or older for admission. A weekend wristband costs $289 and VIP and Super VIP options are also available. lineup.hangoutmusicfest.com

May 21, 2016: 7th Annual Bob Skyes BBQ and Blues Festival

Enjoy some famous Bob Sykes barbecue on the green space of DeBardeleben Park in Downtown Bessemer set to the sounds of smooth blues. Bring your best tailgating chair or picnic blanket to sit by the stage, as well as an empty stomach to fill with great food. Local vendors, kids’ activities and music will keep the whole family busy at this event. General admission is $15, and kids 12 & under get in free! bobsykesblues.com

May 24, 2016: Dave Matthews Band at Oak Mountain Amphitheater

Dave Matthews Band has made a case for being one of the best live concert experiences for music lovers, and they’re coming to Oak Mountain this month! With over 30 million records sold and a cult-like following, there’s no denying that this concert will see a fair share of enthusiastic concert-goers. The band is known for improvising and playing songs differently each time, so even if you’ve seen them before, you’ll be in for a surprise this time around. Tickets start at $65. davematthewsband.com

May 24 – 29, 2016: SEC Baseball Tournament at Hoover Met

Buy yourself some peanuts and Cracker Jacks and settle into the crowd to enjoy the SEC Baseball Tournament hosted at the Hoover Met. Though we aren’t sure if our favorite two teams in the state will get a chance to compete yet, a day spent watching America’s favorite pastime is never a disappointment. This six-day, 17-game tournament will determine the conference winner, and hopefully allow them a chance at the College World Series. secsports.com

May 28, 2016: The Color Run at Uptown

Experience the 5k sensation that is The Color Run when the Tropicolor Tour comes to Birmingham. Partnering with Children’s of Alabama, the organization’s four color stations located along the race route will be sure to have you brightly decorated by the time you make it to the finish line. Compare your splotches with friends or just create a great souvenir for yourself with the complimentary t-shirt. The classic entry fee is $39.99. thecolorrun.com

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